Apparatus for charging storage batteries



Dec. 22, 1931. A. L. VENCILL 1,837,733

APPARATUS FbR CHARGING STORAGE BATTERI ES Filed June 26, 1930 D 55 I W T 1 R :6 9 C INVENTOR Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED s'r A'n-zs PATENT OFFICE ALBERT L. VENOILL, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA APPAIBATUS FOR CHARGING STORAGE BATTERIES Application filed June 26,

Myinvention relates to apparatus for charging storage batteries. One feature ofmy invention is the rovision of means for increasing the rate 0 charge of a storage battery after a failure of the source of charging current. Another feature of my invention is the provision-of means responsive to a failure of the charging current for leaving a telltale indication that such, failurehas occurred.

of alternating current which is not shown in the drawing. The secondary 8 of transformer T is connected with the input terminals of a full-wave rectifier R. The output circuit of rectifier R is from the lower terminal 9 through a resistance C, the winding 2 of a relay A, battery B, and an adjustable resistance D, to the upper terminal 10 of the rectifier R. Current in this circuit is supplied to a load L, and is also supplied to the bat ter B to charge the battery. I

' he relay A comprises an armature 3 pivotally mounted at 3 carrying a telltale disk 6.. This armature is also provided with a contact member 4 which engages a fixed contact 5 when the armature is released. When contact 4-5 is closed, a low resistance shunt is closed around the resistance C. The relay A'is so proportioned that the armature 3 is held'closed by the normal current supplied by the rectifier R, but that when the armature releases, due to failureof current from the rectifier R, the armature will remain open after the charging current is restored, and must then be closed by hand. The telltale disk 6 may be so associated with an opening in the relay case that this disk is invisible when is restored.

1930. Serial No. 463,904,

The operation of the apparatus is'as fol-' lows: Normally relay A ls-energized by the current supplied by rectifier R, so that the resistance C is included in the charging circuit for battery B, with the result that a relative- 1y small amount of current is sup lied to the battery. In the event of failure 0 the charging current, however, relay A will become deenergized, thereby closing back contact 45, and when the charging current is-restored, this contact will remain closed, so that resistance C will be shunted out of the charging circuit, and the char ing current supplied to battery B will then e relatively large. This condition will continue until the armature3 of relay A-is manuall closed, whereupon it will remain closed an the charging current supplied to battery B will be reduced.

If desired, the ack contact 45 of relay A may be omitted. Then the telltale disk 6 Although I have hereinshown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: k

1. In combination, a storage battery, a

charging circuit for said battery including'a source of direct current and a resistance as well as the winding of a relay all connected in series, and a shunt path around said re:

sistance including a back contact of said-relay, said rela being so proportioned that it is held close by the normal charging current in said circuit but that when it releases due to failure of charging current it will remain open after the charging current 2. In combination, a storage battery, a

charging circuit for said battery including ano source of direct current and a resistance as well as the winding of a relay all connected in series, an indicator attachedto the armature of said relay, and a shunt path around said resistance including a back contact of said relay, said relay being so proportioned that it is held closed by the normal charging current in said circuit but that when it re: leases due to failure of charging current it will remain open after the charging current is restored.

In testimony whereof I aifix my si ature.

ALBERT L. VEN ILL. 

